Finding 20664 (2022-001)

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Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
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Year
2022
Accepted
2022-10-25
Audit: 19439
Organization: Housing Associates, Inc. (MD)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Several rental units are not meeting housing quality standards, leading to a failing score from HUD.
  • Impacted Requirements: The project is in breach of its agreement with HUD, requiring extensive reporting until issues are resolved.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Continue correcting deficiencies and improve unit inspection procedures to promptly identify and fix issues.

Finding Text

Statement of Condition: Several of the project?s rental units are not in compliance with housing quality standards. Criteria: HUD conducted a physical inspection of the Project?s units in October 2021 which resulted in a failing score. Cause: The organization outsourced the maintenance function to a third party property management company and did not adequately monitor their work to ensure that they were properly maintaining the project?s real estate. Effect: The project is in breach of its agreement with HUD to maintain safe and decent housing for tenants. In addition, because the project failed the prior HUD physical inspection, the project is now required to do extensive reporting to HUD until the identified issues are fully corrected. Context: HUD inspected all of the project?s units in 2021 to follow up on the previous failed property inspection from 2019 and the project received an unsatisfactory rating again. Recommendation: We recommend that the organization continue to correct the deficiencies cited in the HUD report and review and revise procedures related to unit inspections to ensure that unit deficiencies are identified promptly and corrected. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: We agree with the auditor?s recommendation. The organization is working diligently to correct the identified deficiencies; however, supply chain issues are affecting the timeline of when repairs can be completed, and this has been communicated to HUD.

Corrective Action Plan

September 23, 2022 Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Associates, Inc., HUD Project No. 052-HD-0081, respectfully submits the following corrective action plan for the year ended June 30, 2022. Name and address of independent public accounting firm: Lochte & Company, P.A. 11350 McCormick Road Executive Plaza 3, Suite 503 Hunt Valley, MD 21031 Audit Period: July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 The findings from the June 30, 2022, Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs are discussed below. The findings are numbered consistently with the numbers assigned in the schedule. Section A of the Schedule, Summary of Audit Results, does not include findings and is not addressed. FINDINGS ? FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDIT NONE FINDINGS ? FEDERAL AWARD PROGRAM AUDIT Finding No. 2022-001 ? Section 811 Project, CFDA #14.181 Recommendation: We recommend that the organization continue to correct the deficiencies cited in the HUD report and review and revise procedures related to unit inspections to ensure that unit deficiencies are identified promptly and corrected. Action Taken: We have been working diligently to correct the deficiencies cited and most are now corrected, however, supply chain issues are affecting the speed at which the repairs can be completed. We will continue to inform HUD of our progress and any related challenges. We have terminated the relationship with the property management company under contract during the failed unit inspection in October 2021 and have been inspecting the property units more frequently internally to identify maintenance issues and problems before they become serious. If HUD has any questions regarding this plan, please contact Nico Sanders at 410-545-4429. Sincerely yours, Nico Sanders, Executive Director

Categories

HUD Housing Programs Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.181 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities $83,632